Lightly — Light ly, adv. 1. With little weight; with little force; as, to tread lightly; to press lightly. [1913 Webster] Yet shall thy grave with rising flowers be drest, And the green turf lie lightly on thy breast. Pope. [1913 Webster] Him thus intent… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
lightly — [līt′lē] adv. 1. with little weight, pressure, or motion; gently 2. to a small degree or amount [to spend lightly] 3. nimbly; deftly 4. cheerfully; merrily 5. a) with indifference or neglect … English World dictionary
lightly — (adv.) O.E. leohtlice so as not to be heavy (of material things, but also of sleep, blows, etc.); cognate with O.Fris. lichtelik, O.H.G. lihtlihho, Ger. leichtlich, O.N. lettlega (see LIGHT (Cf. light) (adj.1)). Meaning frivolously, indifferently … Etymology dictionary
lightly — light|ly [ laıtli ] adverb ** ▸ 1 without much force ▸ 2 in/using small amounts ▸ 3 not seriously ▸ 4 cooked for a short time ▸ 5 waking up very easily ▸ 6 in a graceful way ▸ + PHRASES 1. ) without using much force or pressure: Her hands rested… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
lightly */*/ — UK [ˈlaɪtlɪ] / US adverb 1) without using much force or pressure Her hands rested lightly on his shoulders. 2) a) in a way that shows you think something is not important or serious Was it something I said? she asked lightly. b) [usually in… … English dictionary
lightly — /luyt lee/, adv. 1. with little weight, force, intensity, etc.; gently: to press lightly on a door bell. 2. to only a small amount or degree; slightly: lightly fried eggs. 3. nimbly; quickly: to leap lightly aside. 4. with a lack of concern;… … Universalium
lightly — light|ly [ˈlaıtli] adv 1.) with only a small amount of weight or force = ↑gently ▪ I knocked lightly on the door. 2.) using or having only a small amount of something ▪ a lightly greased pan ▪ lightly armed soldiers 3.) take/treat/approach sth… … Dictionary of contemporary English
lightly — /ˈlaɪtli/ (say luytlee) adverb 1. with little weight, force, intensity, etc.: to press lightly on a bell. 2. to only a small amount or degree. 3. easily; without trouble or effort: lightly come, lightly go. 4. cheerfully: to take the news lightly …
lightly — adverb 1 with only a small amount of weight or force; gently: Martin kissed his bride lightly on the cheek. 2 using or having only a small amount of something: Rub a casserole lightly with olive oil. | lightly armed soldiers 3 without worrying,… … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
lightly — adverb 1) Hermione kissed him lightly on the cheek Syn: softly, gently, faintly, delicately Ant: hard, heavily 2) season very lightly with paprika Syn: sparingly, slightly … Thesaurus of popular words
